There is nothing that the men of
this world dread more than solitude and reflection. They would rather be
overpressed with engagements than have leisure for thought. The conscience, ill
at ease, will at such times lift up its voice; but its warning voice must be
hushed by the convenient word "duty" and its honest speech is soon
and willingly forgotten. Sins—many sins—are there, and the thought of God as
the judge of sin is dreadful. The condition of the soul is such that it cannot
bear the light; therefore darkness is loved (John 3:19). The activities of this
present life are sought and welcomed, that the crushing weight of reflection
may be escaped. The pleasures of the world, too, in due time and place, serve a
similar purpose.

Thus every care is taken that
solitude may be avoided, and that there may be no opportunity for calm and
serious reflection. The solemn and eternal realities of the soul have no
portion of thought or time allowed them, the higher, nobler, and better part of
man is totally neglected and left uncared for and unprovided for,
notwithstanding its deep, pressing, and eternal need. "For what shall it
profit a man if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul? or what
shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Mark 8:36,37). Such alas! is
man—man without the knowledge of God, without the knowledge of his condition as
a sinner, and without the knowledge of Jesus as the Saviour of sinners.

But turn for a while, O my soul,
from the contemplation of a scene so heart-rending; though strong, yet tender,
are the links that would draw thee there, and lead thee to wean loved ones from
it and win them for Christ. Cherish a spirit of meditation in the sweet solitudes
of the soul’s separation from the world, where the scene is radiant and joyous
with the presence of the Saviour. The wider the separation from the world, the
deeper the communion and the richer the blessing. When heart and spirit have no
sympathy with the world, then really, though in the world, they are yet
far away from its bustle and all its unhallowed scenes. A mighty chasm now
separates believers from this present evil world:"They are not of the
world," says Christ, "even as I am not of the world" (John
17:16). The position of Christ in resurrection is the definition of our
position as seen in Him. The calm, reflective quiet of the soul in communion
with the Person of the exalted Lord is what characterizes its sweetest moments
while here on earth. These may be found in the sick room, in the quiet country
home, or in the very seat and center of this world’s activities.  All
depends on the state of the heart. To be alone and yet not alone, how blessed!

"My meditation of Him shall
be sweet" (Psa. 104:34).

(From Meditations on the Song
of Solomon.)